I do not know how you do it.

I do not have children. I wonder many times how parents can let their kids out of their sight. What kind of courage and faith do you have to do this every day? What do you tell yourself when you hug them and they get on the bus or walk to school?

2. We don't know either.

It's instinct, I would guess. The knowledge that your child needs to grow, experience, explore, socialize. But, you become hypersensitive to sirens. You avoid watching the news. You read more labels. And, you do all of this without intent. It's like magic.

My son is 30 years old and a retired Marine. All I want to do is hug him and cry. It never goes away. I just keep picturing him when he was 4-5 years old, bright, gorgeous smile, longish strawberry blonde hair and always laughing. I know at least one of those kids would have reminded me of him when he was their age.